Division — Grade 4 Mathematics
In Grade 4, we extend short division to 4-digit numbers divided by 1-digit divisors, and begin dividing by 2-digit numbers using estimation and chunking. We also express remainders as fractions or decimals.
Short Division: 4-Digit ÷ 1-Digit
The method is the same as Grade 3 but with one more digit. Work left to right, carrying remainders as you go.
Express remainders as fractions: If 17 ÷ 5 = 3 r2, we can write this as 3²⁄₅.
Express remainders as fractions: If 17 ÷ 5 = 3 r2, we can write this as 3²⁄₅.
Dividing by a 2-Digit Number (Chunking)
To divide by a 2-digit number, use known multiples to "chunk" the dividend:
Example: 372 ÷ 12
• 12 × 10 = 120 12 × 20 = 240 12 × 30 = 360
• 372 − 360 = 12; 12 ÷ 12 = 1
• 30 + 1 = 31. Check: 31 × 12 = 372 ✓
Example: 372 ÷ 12
• 12 × 10 = 120 12 × 20 = 240 12 × 30 = 360
• 372 − 360 = 12; 12 ÷ 12 = 1
• 30 + 1 = 31. Check: 31 × 12 = 372 ✓
Worked Examples
Example 1 — 4-Digit Short Division
Calculate 3 528 ÷ 6
0 5 8 8
6 ⟌3 5 2 8
- 3 ÷ 6 = 0 r3 → carry 3
- 35 ÷ 6 = 5 r5 → carry 5
- 52 ÷ 6 = 8 r4 → carry 4
- 48 ÷ 6 = 8
- Answer: 588
- Check: 588 × 6 = 3 528 ✓
Example 2 — Remainder as a Fraction
Calculate 247 ÷ 5, writing the remainder as a fraction.
- 247 ÷ 5 = 49 remainder 2
- = 49 + ²⁄₅ = 49²⁄₅
- Check: 49 × 5 + 2 = 245 + 2 = 247 ✓
Example 3 — Real World: Tiling a Floor 🏠
A floor needs 1 296 tiles laid in rows of 18. How many complete rows?
- 1 296 ÷ 18
- 18 × 70 = 1 260; 1 296 − 1 260 = 36; 36 ÷ 18 = 2
- 70 + 2 = 72 rows
- Check: 72 × 18 = 1 296 ✓
Practice Questions
1. Calculate 4 872 ÷ 8.
✅ 609 (Check: 609 × 8 = 4 872 ✓)
2. Calculate 6 435 ÷ 9.
✅ 715 (Check: 715 × 9 = 6 435 ✓)
3. Express 257 ÷ 4 with remainder as a fraction.
✅ 257 ÷ 4 = 64 r1 = 64¼
4. 840 students are split into teams of 15. How many teams?
✅ 840 ÷ 15 = 56 (15×50=750; 840−750=90; 90÷15=6; 50+6=56 teams)
5. Calculate 3 744 ÷ 6.
✅ 624
Key Points to Remember
- Short division: work left to right, carry remainders to the next column.
- For 2-digit divisors: use known multiples to build up to the dividend in chunks.
- Remainders can be expressed as fractions: r/divisor (e.g., 3 r2 ÷ 5 = 3²⁄₅).
- Always check: quotient × divisor + remainder = original number.
- Estimation helps: 3 528 ÷ 6 ≈ 3 600 ÷ 6 = 600 — so we know the answer is around 600.